I am totally ashamed of my behavior. I am the worst visitor ever. Typically, when I visit foreign cities I take the time beforehand to learn about the culture, study the maps, figure out basic phrases, and generally try to discern how not to come across as a jackass. For this trip I packed the morning of my flight and have yet to crack open the city guidebook I brought, even though this is my third night in town. Needless to say, if I were taking a class in how to be a jackass I’d be ruining the curve.
I have made only the most basic efforts to communicate in Japanese, constantly asking for English menus and having to be led around from place to place by the translator we are working with. I am doing my damnedest to uphold the proud tradition of the American traveler.
However, I will say that being here on business is the primary reason for my lackluster approach to being a good person. Given the hours I’ve been working and the jet lag I’m still feeling, I could be in Buffalo right now and I wouldn’t know the difference. I leave the hotel to meet with users and grab food and that’s it. The fact that I’m in Tokyo is little more than a line on my life’s resume; I’m certainly not engaging with the city in any meaningful way.
And that makes me sad. I’m going to have to come back so Tokyo and I can spark a proper relationship.
